Method of and machine for applying caps to the openings of receptacles such as bottles



Nov. 20, 1934. R. LANDAU 1,931,111

METHOD OF AND MAC HINE FOR 'APPLYING CAPS TO THE OPENINGS 0F RECEPTACLBSSUCH AS BOTTLES Filed Feb. 12. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 20, 1934. R.LANDAU 1,981,111

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR APPLYING CAPS TO THE OPENINGS 0F RECEPTACLESSUCH AS BOTTLES Filed Feb. 12. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 20, 1934. RLANDAU 1,981,111

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR APPLYING CAPS TO THE OPENINGS OF RECEPTACLESSUCH AS BOTTLES Filed Feb. 12, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 I20 125 722 I23I24 2/ 3 7 .-L/ 12 I2 ,2 I w 10/ 1/1 1/ l 1 /0 49/ #2 i i 123 2.5 I22jig 10; 720 my f/z/ 72 9 525% w W 6 k 1- n I I v W4 l k 10.9 I 47 2 7251; I24

' l L W s 4m W 5M Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICERobert Landau, Vienna, Austria Application February 12, 1930, Serial No.427,899 In Austria February 28, 1929 8 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of and means for applying caps to theopenings of receptacles such as bottles, and has for its object toprovide a particularly simple and effective method of and device forcrimping such caps into position on the mouths of bottles and otherreceptacles in such a manner as to effect a reliably gas-tight closure.The invention relates broadly to the method of capping by which 10 therim of the cap is forced, by means of a die or the like, over the mouthof the receptacle to be closed, after which a plurality of pressingmembers having pressure faces disposed at a suitable distance below andco-axially to the said die are contracted or fed concentrically towardseach other so as to bend inwards the cylindrical rim of the cap underthe head at the mouth of the receptacle, and thereby to secure the capto the neck of the receptacle. In the known machines working on thisprinciple the movement of the pressure faces or pressure rollers,whether the latterbe attached to or otherwise associated with rigid orresilient op-'.

erating levers, is substantially at right angles to the middle axis ofthe receptacle or to the rim of the cap, since the pressing or operatingmembers proper are either rigid or substantially straight, and areadapted to rock or pivot about points located above the level of the diein the pressure or sealing head. With these known machines, however, therim of the cap, in view of its elasticity, is apt to yield slightly,e.g. to move outwards, after the crimping pressure is released, thusmaking a reliably gas-tight closure impossible. pressing members properare rigid at least from the portion acted upon by the stop out to theirfree ends, and these members therefore cannot yield to unevennesses orirregularities in the mouth of the receptacle to be closed, with theresult that such receptacles are apt to become broken in capping.

The described drawbacks are obviated in the method of and machine forapplying caps in accordance with the present invention, by thearrangement that, after the placing of a cap upon the orifice of thevessel to be sealed, forces which act preferably obliquely downwards arebrought to bear against the edge of the cap rim at points which arecaused to be moved or shifted in a downward sense during the completionof the crimping operation. These forces produce a permanent gas-tightcompression of the gasket or packing material inserted between the caphead and the edge of the orifice of the ves- Further, in these machinesthe sel by loading the rimof the cap in the direction of itslongitudinal generatrices while at the same time pressing in the edge ofthe said rim. In order that the machine may be able to produce thiseffect the clearance between the pres-- sure faces of the pressingmembers (which effect the bending inwards of the edge of the cap rim)and the die which holds the cap in place, i.e. the extent to which theoperative end surfaces of the pressing members project beyond the end ofthe die, is caused to become automatically increased in the course ofthe crimping operation. This result is obtained in a simple manner, inaccordance with the present invention, by providing the pressure faceson the ends of resilient members which are so curved in their length andreturned inwardly at their lower or outer end that, when these membersare approached concentrically towards each other. they are stretched insuch a manner that the 5 angle of inclination of their said inwardlyreturned portion to'the neck of the receptacle and to the rim of the capis thereby altered in the required sense, i.e. -so as to be directedobliquely downwards, and at the same time the points of application ofthe operative'ends are moved or shifted downwards, i.e. away fromthe'pressingon die. A further feature of the invention is that theresilient pressing members do not end at the stop which effects theircompression, and which according to the present invention is providedwith a sharp edge adapted to act upon the said members, but projectbeyondthe same, thus enabling these members to yield to excess pressureindependently of each other during the crimping operation.

Two forms of the device according to the present invention are shown, byway of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 showsthe pressure-head of the device in sectional elevation.

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the pressurehead partly in section. I

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the lower part of thepressure-head, in the first form.

Fig. 4 is a section-on an enlarged scale of the lower part of thepressure-head adapted for use in connection with receptacles having alarge orifice, likewise in the first form of construction.

Fig. 5 shows in section and part elevation the pressure-head'of amodified form of the capping machine.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the pressing elements of the modified form asset for use in connection with vessels of large diameter.

Fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal section of the pressure-head in themodified form of construction as set for use in connection with vesselshaving an orifice of smaller diameter.

The machine for closing vessels with capshaped contrivances consists ofa casing-shaped pressure-head 1 which, for instance by means of a nut 4,is secured to a rod 3, mounted axially slidable in a pillar 2. Aprismatic extension 5 of the pressure-head is guided between projections6 of the pillar 2, in order to prevent an unintended rotation of thepressure-head. A cylindric guide-sleeve '7 is disposed in thepressure-head 1 and provided at its bottom end with an enlarged steppedpart 8. By means of a cupshaped guide-nut 9 of the pressure-head 1, thestepped part 8 is forced on to an inwardly extending fiange 10 of thelatter and thereby the said guide-sleeve 7, 8 is immovably secured inposition. A tubular ram 11 passes through a bore in the top end of theguide-sleeve '7 and at its bottom end is provided with or terminates ina permanent magnetic or electro-magnetic die 12 with a plane operatingsurface. The ram 11 is screw-threaded and a slide 14, closely fittedinto said sleeve 7, is adjustably mounted on said ram and can be fixedin position by a nut 13. The slide 14 is provided with downwardly andoonically outwardly extending spring-tongues or plates 15 with thickenedfree ends, which extend into the bore of the nut 9 and each of which isprovided with a pressure-face 16. The pressurefaces project forward sofar as corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the bottle andare of a size corresponding to the width of the rim of the cap 28, 29which is to be bent inward. The pressure faces constitute a pressureringinterrupted by the spaces between the individual faces. The inclinedbottom faces 17 of the tongue-ends are adapted to the cap-shaped nut 9and form an extension thereof. A slotted resilient ring 18 is arrangedclose above the pressure-faces 16 of the pressure-tongues 15 in order toincrease the spring-action of the latter. The slide 14 and thus also thepressure-tongues 15 are under the influence of the action of a spring19, which bears against the inner face of the top wall of theguide-sleeve 7 and against the nut 13. The force of the spring can beadjusted by a nut 20 screwed to that part of the ram 11, which extendsout of the guide-sleeve 'I. An annular step 21, provided in the part 8of the guide-sleeve '7, cooperates with the outside of thepressure-tongues 15 and causes the uniform approach or closure movementof the pressurefaces 16 during the upward shifting of the slide 14 andthe tongues 15 against the action of the spring 19. A rod 22 passesthrough the tubular ram 11 and serves for ejecting unsuitable caps 28,29. The upper end of the rod 22 passes through the screw-threaded hood23 of the pressure-head 1 and is provided with a knob 24. The rod 22 issubjected to the action of two springs 25 and 26. The spring 25 isstronger than the spring 26 and a washer or pin 27, fixed to the rod 22,separates the two springs. The bottom end of the spring 25 rests on theram 11 and this spring has the tendency to maintain the rod 22 in itswithdrawn position. The spring 26, disposed between the washer 27 andthe top end of the hood 23, acts as buffer-spring during the returnmovement of the rod 22.

The

manner:

Before starting the machine, the nut 9 is unscrewed and the guide-sleeve'7 with the parts connected thereto are pulled out of the pressurehead 1and, after unscrewing the nut 20, the ram 11 with its slide 14 andpressure-tongues 15 are removed from the guide-sleeve 7. Now thedistance between the die 12 and the pressurefaces 16 of the tongues 15is regulated in such manner by adjusting the counter-nut 13 and theslide 14 on the screw-thread of the ram 11, that the rim of the cap 28,29 placed on to the operating face of the die 12 closely rests on thebottom edge of the pressure-faces 16 (Fig. 3). Now all parts are placedinto the machine in their order and the machine is in working condition.A vessel or receptacle, for instance a bottle, is placed onto the tableof the machine located a suitable distance below the pressurehead 1 and,by operating the rod 3 by means of a suitable operating member, thepressurehead 1 is lowered whereby the rim of the bottle slides along thecap-shaped inside of the nut 9 and the faces 1'! and enters the flange29 of the cap-shaped contrivance 28,29, which is prevented from fallingdown by the magnetic action of the die 12. During the further downwardmovement of the. pressure-head 1, the die 12 which is subjected to theaction of the spring 19 at first subjects the bottom of the cap 28, 29to a uniformly distributed pressure and thus fully moves the flange 29over the thickened rim of the bottle. Whenever the counter-pressure,exerted by the cap-bottom 28 now resting on the bottle-mouth, passesbeyond the force of the spring 19, the slide 14 together with thetongues 15 overcomes the force of the spring 19 in the guidesleeve 7 andmoves upward whereby, however, the annular step 21 acts on thecone-shaped part of the tongues 15 and causes a concentric inwardmovement of their pressure-faces 16, which uniformly bend inward the rimof the flange 29 and force the said flangerim into close engagement withcontracted part of the bottle just behind the said thickened bottle-rim.The pressure-tongues 15 are temporarily stretched during theiroperation, and therefore the resultant of the working pressure, exertedby the pressure-faces 16, is directed downward at an angle toward theedge of the flange 29, so that during the inward turning of its edge thecap 28, 29 is also subjected to the action of forces, which force thecap-bottom 28 and the packing members on to the bottle-mouthpiece andthe flange 29 in the direction of its generatrix. In view thereof andowing to the great pressure the cork-disc of the cap 28, 29, bulged inthe known manner, remains loaded also after the pressure operation isterminated. This is of great importance for the gas-tight closure of thebottle. All parts are returned into their initial position during theautomatic return of the pressure-head 1 and finally theclosed-receptacle is removed from the table. It is remarked that themachine can be used also for closing vessels, which are not of standardsize and whereby the diameter of the mouth piece of the vessel variesbetween certain limits, because the pressure-faces 16 possess a greaterrange (if movement. However also vessels with a noncircular mouthpiececan be closed in view of the spring-action of the pressure-tongues 15.Further even deformed caps 28, 29 may be used, which at first are placedinto proper shape by machine operates in the following radiallyadjustable.

the uniformly approaching pressure-faces 16. It is only necessary toforce down the ejectorrod 22 by means of the knob 24 in order to eject acap 28, 29 rendered useless but already disposed below the die 12.

In case vessels with a larger mouthpiece, for instance milk-bottles,have to be closed by means of the machine, the slide 14 with itspressuretongues 15 is replaced by a slide having pressure-tongues withpressure-faces of a correspondingly larger diameter. The enlarged endsof the pressure-tongues preferably rest closely against the inside faceof the nut 9 adapted to outer diameterof the cap-shaped contrivance forclosing the milk-bottle. The cone-shaped part of the pressure-tongues isshaped in the same way as the pressure-tongues 15, so that they are alsooperated by the annular step 21 of the stepped part 8 of theguide-sleeve 7.

The slide 14 shown in Fig. 4, is well adapted for closing jam-bottles.The pressure-tongues 15 provided with the pressure-faces 16", are bulgedout to suit the outer diameter of the jam-bottle, and the cap-shaped nut9 of the pressure-head 1 is provided with a suitable bore. The die 12is'enlarged by a pressure-plate 40 screwed or otherwise secured to theend of the ram 12.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7 the pressing tongues together with theirpressure faces are The pressure head 101 of the machine, the guide nut109 which holds the sleeve 107 in position, and the pressing die 112 areall of a diameter corresponding to that of the largest receptacles to becapped, that is jam bottles. The pressure tongues 115 provided with thepressure faces 116 are rendered radially adjustable independently ofeach other by being attached at their upper end each to a plate 120guided in themanner of a sliding shoe in a radial slot 121 in a disc 122which is longitudinally adjustable on the ram rod 111 but at the sametime locked against rotation. The plates 120 are each provided with astud 123 adapted to engage in a spirally curved slot 124 in a disc 125rotatably mounted above the disc 122. The disc 125 is provided inconnection with its portion projecting beyond the periphery of the disc122 with downwardly extending arc-shaped curved cams 129 the lower endsurfaces 130 of which are inclined. The pressure tongues 115 areenclosed by a sleeve 126 which has a peripheral quide flange 127 whichbears against the inner surface of the sleeve 1-07, and which is pressedupwards against the cams 129 by a spring 128 inserted between the flange127 and the shoulder 106 on the sleeve 107. The pressure faces 116 areprovided with a guiding extension 131 curved to correspond to thecurvature of the inside surface of the guide nut 109.

For the capping of jam bottles all the parts assume the positions shownin Figs. 5 and 6 in which the plates 120 of the pressure tongues 115 arein the outermost position in the slots 121, and the guiding portions 131of the pressure faces 116 are in contact with the surface of the guidenut 109. When the pressure head is de: pressed the lower inner edge ofthe shoulder 106 acts as the stop which causes the pressure tongues 115and the pressure faces 116 to be approached towards each other and movedrelatively to the pressing die in the manner described.

If on the other hand a vessel with a smaller orifice is to be capped,the disc 125 is rotated in a clockwise direction, with the result thatthe plates 120 are moved inwards in their slots 1.21, in consequence ofthe engagement of their studs 123 in the spiral slots 124, and move thepressure tongues 115 inwards with them. This rotation of the disc 125 iscontinued until the pressure faces 116 of the pressure tongues 115 areat the required distance from each other. The rotation of the disc 125at the same time causes the cams 129, which in the initial positionprojected into an arc-shaped slot 132 on the flange 127 of the sleeve126, to be rotated relatively to the latter, with the result that theoblique surfaces 130 press against the flange 127 at the edge of theirrespective slots 132, and thereby depress the sleeve 126 against theaction of the spring 128 (Fig. 7). The lower edge of the sleeve 126 thusbrought within reach of the oblique portion of the pressure tongues 115then acts, in place of the shoulder 106, as the stop which effects theapproaching of the pressure tongues 115 for the purpose of crimping thecap rim. The guiding portions 131 of the pressure faces 116 facilitatethe insertion of the closure cap in the pressure head and also thecentering of the receptacle to be capped.

I claim- 1. A device for applying a cap-shaped contrivance toreceptacles, comprising in combination a die, inwardly movable elementshaving pressure faces arranged concentrically around said die, and meansfor moving said elements inwardly to cause the pressure faces thereof tomove'at a slope with respect to the axis of the receptacle to be closed,including a casing enclosing the die and pressure-faces, a nut securingsaid parts in said casing, a rod passing through said die for ejectingunsuitable capshaped contrivances, and two oppositely acting springsarranged on said rod, the springs being of difierent power, for thepurpose specified.

2. The method of applying closure caps to the mouths of receptacles,such as bottles, having a head around the mouth consisting in forcingthe rim of the cap over the said head, by bringing downwardly directedforce to bear upon the head of the cap, until the head of the cap fitsclosely upon the mouth, causing obliquely downwardly directed convergingforces to bear solely upon the lower marginal portion of the rim of thecap, causing the points of application of the said obliquely downwardlydirected forces to move solely in the direction of force, until the saidmarginal portion of the cap rim has been brought into full contact withthe neck of the receptacle, and further convergence of the said pointsof application thereby arrested, and then supplementarily displacing thesaid points of application in a direction away from the head of the cap,for the purpose of stressing the cap longitudinally of its rim.

3. A machine of the class described, comprising a framework, an armvertically movable and guided in the said framework, a tubular casingattached to the said arm, an inwardly projecting collar in the lowerpart of the said casing, a sleeve located in the said casing and againstthe said collar, a screw threaded ram rod axially disposed in and guidedby the said sleeve and projecting from the upper end thereof, a lockingnut on the upper end of the said ram rod, a die on the lower end of thesaid ram rod, a slide screw threaded on the said ram rod and adapted toslide within the said sleeve, a plurality of leaf springs associatedwith and depending from the said slide concentrically about the said ramrod and die and extending beyond the operative surface of the said die,the said leaf springs having outwardly bent portions and inwardlyreturned outer ends, having pressure faces and a sharp edged stopassociated with the lower portion of the said sleeve and adapted tocooperate with the said leaf springs intermediate their ends.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, in which the said leaf springs areintegrally attached to the said slide.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising a sleeve, a ram rod inthe center of said sleeve, a disc mounted longitudinally adjustably andnon-rotatably upon the said ram rod, and having radial slots, plateslongitudinally slidable in the said slots, leaf springs severallyattached to the said plates, and a slide comprising a disc rotatablyseated upon and projecting beyond the periphery of the said first disc,and having spiral slots, studs on the said plates engaged in the saidspiral slots, so that when the said second disc is rotated the saidplates and the said leaf springs are moved radially, a cylindrical stopadapted to slide within the said sleeve, and having an outwardlyextending flange on its upper end provided with are shaped slots,camming arcs having oblique outer end surfaces depending from the saidprojecting portion of the said second disc and adapted to engage in thesaid are shaped slots and, on rotation of the said second disc, tocooperate with the edge of said slots to depress said stop.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 3, including a resilient split ringplaced within the said inwardly returned'outer portions of the said leafsprings, to accelerate the return movement of the said leaf springs.

'7. A machine as claimed in claim 3, in which the said ram rod has alongitudinal bore, and including a rod traversing the said bore, for thepurpose of ejecting unsuitable caps.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 3, in which the said ram rod has alongitudinal bore, and including a rod traversing the said bore, for thepurpose of ejecting unsuitable caps, and two oppositely acting springsarranged on said rod, said springs being of different power, for thepurpose specified.

ROBERT LANDAU.

